Dhaka –a place from yesteryears was not unfolded by historians, until the Mughals uncovered as the Capital, then the journey starts. Muslin was its pride, which reached even the pyramids of Egypt. Today it is the modern capital of Bangladesh, with millions surviving. It carries legacy of pre-Mughal to Mughal, British to present time with old and modern structure mingling together, all are charming with the colorful rickshaws and the old part of the city on the bank of river Buriganga, in the words of many, this is a charming living museum. All awaits to unfold and give you a charm of it….walk the narrow streets….take a rickshaw ride….even a horse cart ride….all so colorful and the smiling masses. Sonargaon, the ancient capital of Bengal on Turkish Sultanate period during 1280 AD, was the seat of the medieval Muslim rulers and governors of Eastern Bengal. It served as the capital of Sultan Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah, Isa Khan and the Baro-Bhuyan Confederacy. The city was described by numerous historic travelers, including Ibn Battuta, Ma Huan, Niccolò de’ Conti and Ralph Fitch as a thriving center of trade and commerce.

Day 01: Arrive Dhaka

You will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka from Delhi. After all immigration formalities, the guide will receive you and transfer to hotel. Free for the evening and stay overnight at Golden Tulip Hotel (www.goldentulipthegrandmarkdhaka.com) in Dhaka.

Day 02: Ancient Capital and Jamdani Village Tour

After breakfast, around 0830 hrs we will start for Sonargaon (30 km far from capital city). The most attractions are as follow:

Panam Nagar, one of the most endangered historic sites in the world and is a subject of significant archaeological and artistic interest. Most of buildings suffer from rising damp while biological and insect damage has affected the architectural woodwork. At present there are more than 50 buildings in both sides of a road established in the late of the 19th century. Today this area is protected under the department of archaeology of Bangladesh. The New York-based World Monument Fund in 2006 included Panam Nagar in its World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites. [The site closes fully on Sunday and 1st half of Monday.]

Folk-Art Museum was established by Bangladeshi famous painter Joynul Abedin on March 12, 1975. There is an old house in the premises called Boro Sardar Bari, was built by a rich man Gopinath in Bengali year 1330. The Bangladesh Folk-Arts and Crafts Foundation converted the house to a museum. [The museum closes on Wednesday and Thursday.]

Then a short drive to Rupshi known as Jamdani Village is located at Demra. Jamdani is a hand loom woven fabric mainly Saris made of cotton, which historically was referred to as Muslin. The Jamdani weaving is only Bangladeshi origin. It is one of the most time and labor intensive forms of hand loom weaving. The expert weavers create the design in his brain during the weaving and there is no mechanical technique or written documents involved, nothing is sketched or outlined. The weavers just know the exact number of times to do a certain stitch to combine the yarns to come up with a particular motif.

In the evening drive back to Dhaka and stay overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Capital with Mughal Architectures

Have breakfast and check-out from the hotel around 0800-0830 hrs. Today we will explore old part of the city and visit the following sites:

Curzon Hall meant to be a town hall, was named after Lord Curzon –a Viceroy of India (1899-1905) who laid its foundation stone in 1904. A year later Bengal was partitioned and Dhaka became the capital of the newly created province of East Bengal and Assam. After the establishment of Dhaka University in 1921 it become part of the university’s science section and continues as such.

Nimtali Arch (known as Nimtali Deuri), is located at the Old Secretariat Road, Nimtali Lane in Dhaka, was the gateway to the Nimtali Palace in 18th and 19th centuries. The palace was built around 1765-1765 as a residence for the Naib-e Nazim (deputy governor) of Dhaka of Bengal in the Mughal reign. The arch is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture. A public museum showcasing the life of Dhaka’s elite of Mughal era is now housed inside the arch’s three floors conserving old photographs, utensils, apparels, and artifacts that were collected from inheritors of the period. [The museum opens only on Friday and Saturday 1030-1630 hrs.]

Dhakeswari Temple, built by King Ballal Sen in 12th century, is the state temple of Bangladesh for Hindu Community. Some people believe the city named “Dhaka” after the temple. The original 800-year old statue was destroyed during the War of 1971 and the riots of 1989 & 1990. The current style of architecture of the temple cannot be dated to that period because of numerous repairs, renovations and rebuilding in its long years of existence and its present condition does not clearly show any of its original architectural characteristics.

The Mughal Fort, also known as Aurangabad Fort is situated at Lalbagh area in Dhaka, is an incomplete but beautiful fort of 17th century. The construction was started in 1678 AD by Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah who was son of Emperor Aurangzeb and later emperor himself. His successor, Shaista Khan, did not continue the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688. The daughter of Shaista Khan named Iran Dukht Pari Bibi died there. After her death, he started to think the fort as unlucky, and left the structure incomplete. [Close fully on Sunday and 1st half of Monday.]

Take a rickshaw ride and enjoy the trip through the narrow streets of Old Dhaka.

The Qassabtuly Mosque built in 1919 (Hijri 1338) by a businessman named Abdul Bari Bepari. This three-flute-domed mosque is studded with pieces of ceramic or chini-tikri. The interiors of this mosque contain flower vases, floral motifs and Arabic Calligraphy. The artistic designs and fine decorative skills portray the influence of Persian origin and therefore present evidence to the Dominance of Islam in this region.

Bara Katara is a palatial building dating to the reign of the Mughal dynasty in the Bengal region close to the north bank of the river Buriganga. The word Katara may have originated from Arabic word which means colonnaded building and Persian mean ‘Caravan (Karwan) Sarai’ or simply a ‘Sarai’. The building was built in 1644-1646 AD by Mir Abul Qasim, the diwan (chief revenue official) of Mughal prince Shah Shuja. It was intended to be Shah Shuja’s residence, but Shah Shuja endowed it to Mir Abul Qasem. Less than half of the structure remains, and it is in disrepair. The Department of Archaeology has been unable to take charge of the monument owing to litigation and resistance from its owners. The owners have altered the original building and encroached upon it with new construction.

Chota Katara was constructed in 1663 by Subahdar Shaista Khan on the bank of the Buriganga River, built to accommodate officials and Shaista Khan’s expanding family. Chhota Katra is slightly smaller than Bara Katra, but similar in plan and about 185 meters east of it. It held an important place in the cityscape suggesting their prominence in the Mughal Dhaka. Since the shift of Mughal capital in 1713, Kataras started to lose their importance. The Department of Archaeology has been unable to take charge of the monuments owing to litigation and resistance from its owners. The owners have altered the original buildings with new construction.

The most beautiful Ahsan Manzil, also known as “Pink Palace” is situated at Kumartoli along the banks of the Buriganga River, was the resident palace of Dhaka’s Zaminadars. Construction was started in 1859 and completed in 1872. After acquisition of zamindari in 1952, they couldn’t maintain the expenses of the palace. After independence war they left Bangladesh to Europe for better livelihood, and then the property occupied by illegal people. In 1985, Bangladesh Government acquired the palace and surrounding area, and it has been designated as a national museum in 1992. [Close fully on Thursday and 1st half of Friday.]

After visiting the wonderful palace, walk through the Old Hindu Streets and taste the color, smell, sound and activities of the old town. This is one of the oldest areas of Dhaka, stretches along a narrow lane, lined with richly decorated brick buildings built during the late Mughal or Colonial period. The area belongs to the Shankhari Community who borrowed their name from Shankha (a decorated bangle) crafted from slices of conch shells. Shankha is the symbol indicates that a Hindu woman is married. You will find people making ornaments by shell and you can also enjoy live cooking which is very famous as Old Dhaka’s Street Food.

Stay Overnight in Dhaka.

Day 04: Depart Dhaka

After breakfast, transfer to airport for onward destination.

Tour end with thanks